Single stemmed perennial from 8-24 inches tall with
5-10 pairs of heart shaped lower leaves, 1-3 inches long and opposite. It
has a sunflower like, yellow flower of yellow about 2 inches across. Blooms in the latter
part of May through July. It grows in either acid or alkaline soil and grows
well in sun or partial shade. Found mostly in meadows and wet places, from the
foothills to middle or upper level elevations in the mountains. Reported
by Nuttall on the alluvial flats of the Colorado of the West, (the Snake) particularly near
the Bear River (southeastern Idaho). An example of Nuttall's Chamisso Arnica
plant is at the British Museum.

WARNING: Arnica should be only used
with extreme care. Arnica may cause contact dermatitis (inflammation of the
skin, especially in allergy-prone persons) when used externally, and complete
collapse when taken internally. Therefore, Arnica is subject to legal
restrictions in many countries.

Medicinal Uses:Arnica is restricted for
external use only in the USA. Externally Arnica may be used in liniments
or creams for
for sunburn, superficial and limited burns,
bruises, sprains, swollen feet.dislocations,
sprains, bruises, chilblains and varicose ulcers.